Where to find the scroll direction setting

The scroll direction setting lives in System Settings under Trackpad or Mouse, depending on which input device you use. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), then click Trackpad if you use a MacBook trackpad, or Mouse if you use an external mouse. The scroll direction option appears in the Scrolling section of whichever pane you open.

The setting is called Scroll direction: Natural, and it controls whether scrolling up moves the page up or down. By default, it is turned on, which means scrolling up on your trackpad or mouse wheel moves the page up — the same direction your fingers move. Turning it off reverses this, so scrolling up moves the page down instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Scroll direction is in System Settings under Trackpad or Mouse, in the Scrolling section.
  • The setting is called "Scroll direction: Natural" and is on by default on most Macs.
  • Turning it off reverses the direction — scrolling up moves the page down.
  • The change takes effect when ready and applies only to the device you adjusted.
  • External mice and trackpads have separate settings, so you may need to adjust both if you use both.

Changing scroll direction on a MacBook trackpad

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select System Settings. Click Trackpad in the left sidebar. Under the Scrolling section, you will see a checkbox next to "Scroll direction: Natural". If the box is checked, scrolling up moves the page up. If you want the opposite — scrolling up moves the page down — uncheck the box.

The change happens when ready. Close System Settings and test it on any webpage or document. If you want to switch back, return to the same setting and check the box again.

Changing scroll direction on an external mouse

Open System Settings and click Mouse in the left sidebar. In the Scrolling section, you will see the same "Scroll direction: Natural" checkbox. Uncheck it to reverse the direction. This setting applies only to the external mouse you have connected, not to your trackpad.

If you use both a trackpad and an external mouse, you can set them to scroll in opposite directions. Many people prefer natural scrolling on the trackpad but reversed scrolling on a mouse, since a mouse wheel feels more like a scroll wheel on older computers. Adjust each device separately in its own settings pane.

Why your scroll direction might feel backwards

Apple calls the default setting "natural" scrolling because it mimics the way you move paper on a desk — push the paper up, and you see the bottom of the page. On a trackpad, this feels intuitive because your fingers move the same direction as the content. On a mouse wheel, however, this can feel backwards if you learned to use a mouse before 2011, when Apple introduced natural scrolling.

If you switch between a Mac and a Windows computer, you may find yourself changing this setting often. Windows uses reversed scrolling by default, so your muscle memory from a Windows mouse will feel wrong on a Mac set to natural scrolling. Turning off natural scrolling on your Mac makes it behave like a Windows mouse.

Scroll direction for Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad

If you use Apple's Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad as external devices, they follow the same rules as any other mouse or trackpad. Open System Settings, click Mouse or Trackpad depending on which device you are adjusting, and toggle the scroll direction in the Scrolling section.

Magic devices often come with natural scrolling turned on by default. If you prefer the older reversed direction, uncheck the box. The setting persists even if you disconnect and reconnect the device later.

Troubleshooting scroll direction problems

If you change the setting but scrolling still feels wrong, make sure you are adjusting the correct device. If you use an external mouse, the trackpad setting will not affect it, and vice versa. Check both panes to see which one is actually controlling your scrolling.

If you use a third-party mouse or trackpad from a brand other than Apple, it may have its own software or settings panel separate from System Settings. Check the manufacturer's website or the Applications folder for a control panel specific to that device. Some third-party mice override the Mac system setting entirely.

Restart your Mac if the change does not take effect when ready. This is rare, but occasionally the system needs to reload the input device driver. After restarting, the scroll direction should match your setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing scroll direction affect both my trackpad and mouse?

No. Each device has its own scroll direction setting. If you use both a trackpad and an external mouse, you must change them separately in System Settings. Adjust the trackpad in the Trackpad pane and the mouse in the Mouse pane.

Will my scroll direction setting change if I update macOS?

No. Your scroll direction preference is saved in your user account settings and persists through macOS updates. You will not need to change it again unless you manually switch it back.

Can I set scroll direction differently for different apps?

Not through System Settings. The scroll direction setting applies system-wide to all applications. Some third-party apps or mouse software may offer per-app settings, but the Mac system itself does not.

What is the difference between natural scrolling and reversed scrolling?

Natural scrolling (on by default) moves the page in the same direction your fingers move on the trackpad. Reversed scrolling moves the page opposite to your finger direction, which matches how older computer mice worked.

Why does my scroll direction keep changing back?

If you use a third-party mouse or trackpad, its own software may override the Mac system setting. Check the manufacturer's control panel or preferences to see if it is resetting the scroll direction. Uninstall the third-party software if you want to use only the Mac system setting.